“TWB is the best decision of my life and I wouldn’t change
it for the world.” –Mary-Charlotte Dusel

“I hate Kansas.” –Lizz Byrd

“The most accepting and relatable you’ll meet!” –Aidan Spelbring

“I made family, not friends, America is the most gorgeous
place I have ever seen.” –Hannon Herring

“TWB has not only allowed me to travel the country, but meet
80 new best friends who are all there for each other.” –Alex Slaughter

“Best thing I’ve ever done, 10/10 recommend.” –Makenzi
Stiles

“I would not have wanted to experience this amazing country
with any other group of people.” –Genevieve Fortier

“TWB emphasized the importance of individuality and
self-love, and this family I’ve made has helped me cope with and recognize this
realization.” –Casey Kellogg

“I am so thankful for the past 23 days making new friends
that God blessed me with, experiencing all America has to offer.” –Lilly Beth
Glenn

“These past 23 days changed my life for the better!”
–Madison Price

“It’s not the places that you see, but the people that you
meet that makes TWB unforgettable.” –Kate Williams

“While the places you see are amazing, the friendships you
form are just as valuable.” –Benjamin Campbell

“This trip truly changed my life for the better!” –Carsyn
Parrott

“It has made me live in the moment, instead of worrying
about the future.” –Sianna Gutschick

“Seemingly a scary trip that was way out of my comfort zone
ended up being the best experience of my life.” –Ainsley Butler

“”Words cannot describe this experience, but I am forever
grateful for it and the people I shared it with.” –Emma Schieck

“Live every single moment to the fullest.” –Dallas Cobb

“I’ve been to see
things that I never thought I would see with some of the funniest people I’ve
ever met.” –Vivian Cline

“This has been the trip of a lifetime!” –Caroline Royals

“This experience definitely changed my life in so may ways
with better perspectives on situations and so many new family members and friends.”
–Emily Beck

“Definitely worth the 23 days of summer.” –Matthew Whalen

“You definitely will not regret coming, trust me.” –Avery
Walker

“TWB is a life changing experience. You never realize the
small things you are thankful for until this trip.” –Gracie Hester

“TWB is a trip of a lifetime!” –Mary Lewis Johnson

“By fare the best experience of my life; it’s like having a
(huge) second family.” –Morgan Edwards

“You will truly learn what it means to ‘live’ on TWB.” –Emma
Roby

“TWB is one of the best trips I’ve been on and I loved every
day of it.” –Claire Carter

“TWB is truly an experience that changes lives and makes a
forever family.” –Virginia Griffin

“TWB has opened my eyes to a new perspective on life and
people.” –Lauren Pollock

“TWB has showed me what it means to live in the moment.”
–Caroline Harris

“TWB has made me realize that you have to live in the moment
and never take anything for granted.” –Sarah Tolbert

“TWB has helped me grow as a person, and I will remember
this amazing experience for the rest of my life.” –Kelsey Smith

“TWB has opened my eyes and allowed me to live each day to
the fullest.” –Lily McGrath

“Teens Westward Bound is a trip of a lifetime where you gain
81 new best friends while seeing America like never before.” –Ashlyn Rhyne

“TWB has changed my life. It has taught me so many things –
like to live in the moment, appreciate the things and people around you, and
just enjoy life.” –Hana Blair

“TWB opened my eyes to the beauty God gave our great
country, and the beauty He gave to the people surrounding me.” – Payton
Dyksterhouse

“This trip gave me 80 new awesome friends and I would not
want to change that for anything.” – Margaret Gourley

“TWB has pushed me out of my comfort zone and given me so many great friends and
memories.” – Paige Hudson

“TWB has given me a greater appreciation of all the small
things in life, while showing me the beauty of the country we live in.” –
Brandon Cool

“I’m shocked at how much I opened up and talked, so truly
anybody can make friends on TWB.” – Brandon Ruff

“TWB has taught me to focus on living everyday like it’s
your last with your 80 new best friends.” – Annagrace Gibson

“TWB has been the trip of a lifetime and I am so thankful I
was given the opportunity to go.” – Anna Mitchell

“TWB teaches you to learn about yourself, grow, and make so
many great friends, it’s truly unforgettable.” – Claire Irving

“TWB was an unexplainable experience and the only way to
understand how amazing it is, is if you get out there and do it.” – Will Bradley

“TWB is truly a trip of a lifetime and I am so thankful for
all my new friends and amazing memories.” – Kate Brennan

“TWB is where you see great places and meet people that are
even greater.” – Christian Arthur

“The views were everything I could ask for.” – Bailey
Tindall

“Dope!” – Kendrick Messerich

“TWB has not only opened my eyes to the magnificent beauty
of this country, but also to the beauty and significance of embracing who you
are.” – Abby Brown

“I highly recommend this trip because it separates you from
all the lies we get trapped in with social media. It also gives you a chance to
meet new and different people along with amazing monuments. Every place means
something different, it all depends on you.” – Mikayla Brumbles

"TWB has taught me to take in everything. Live in the moment instead of worrying about what's next." - Gillian Walter

"Today is my moment and now is my story....I'll laugh, and I'll cry, and I'll sing!"

Today
we woke up bundled in our sleeping bags next to our best friends for the last
time. Many of us stayed up late (early) with tarp talk and even playing a
hilarious game of truth or dare. Some of us were just reaching our REM cycle as
our favorite directors (Dallas and Katie) blasted “Good Day” from the speaker.
Next up on the playlist included “Wake Me Up” and of course the iconic “Dead
Puppies.” We truly will miss their creative wake up calls! They also played one
final “Birthday Hooray” song for Genieve’s birthday!!! HAPPY 17th BIRTHDAY GEN,
WE LOVE YOU!

We
started gathering our belongings and taking them to the bus where Joseph opened
the bay for the Bashfulsto load our duffles. Everyone else helped clean
the area of trash and the famous KFC bucket hats that were laying on the
ground. After making sure our campground was left sparkling clean we headed to
one of our favorite places…WALMART! The Sneezy group shopped for our final
meals of TWB. We took advantage of the free time in Walmart one final time
finding random food items to buy including chicken wings, mozzarella sticks,
donuts, energy drinks, and candy. After our quick stop, we got in our vehicles
and continued our quest back to North Carolina. The vans and bus were lively
with jokes and sing-a-longs once we devoured our delicious cinnamon rolls. The
counselors informed us that there would be no napping on the vehicles today,
which we did not mind because we wanted to spend as much time as possible with
each other. After stretching our legs at a rest area in NORTH CAROLINA, it
started feeling real that we would be seeing our family and friends so soon.

As
we headed back home a service light on the bus came and on Joseph (the Legend)
safely got us to the exit ramp of the highway. We found out that a new bus
would be coming to the rescue and we discovered a park nearby to hang out in
while we waited. At the park we organized our belongings, cleaned out the vans
and kitchen trailer, and had all our wonderful gifts we purchased returned to
us. While various jobs were being completed some of us played on the
playground, threw the frisbee, and even gathered under a shade tree for a
sing-a-long. Once everyone had the chance to look through the lost and
found, we gathered together for a few last words from Grant and the counselors.
They handed out papers with all of our names and numbers on it so our TWB
family could always stay in touch. The counselors also presented Genieve with a
birthday gift of Tennessee souvenirs since we traveled through its wondrous
mountains on her special day. She was given two pom poms and two cups since she
is a twin of course! Shortly after, the new bus and Joseph arrived! We had a moment
to say our very emotional goodbyes to each other before traveling the last hour
and a half to our FINAL stop.

When
we arrived at Mallard Creek we were filled with so many emotions. We were
thrilled to see our friends and family but also sad to say goodbye to our TWB
family. We sang, “This Land is Your Land” and our personal favorite “Today” one
final time. We then gave many hugs as we were reunited with our loved ones.

Our last Walmart stop!

Hanging out under our shade tree

Getting ready for a quick meeting

A few more songs with Grant while we waited for our other bus

Potential last hugs :(

Dallas giving Genieve her birthday gifts!!

We made it home!

A
note from the counselors:

Thank
you parents, family, and friends for checking in with us each day and following
along with our journey. We truly felt and appreciated your prayers every single
day. We were blessed with 80 amazing teenagers these past 23 days. We could not
have dreamed of a better group to spend our summer with. Participants, we love
and adore each one of you! Each of you made our trip truly unique and special.
We hope that you will look back on the blog often and be reminded of all the
wonderful memories we made together this summer. We are so proud of you all and
we are already missing you!! Y’all are so amazing and we can’t wait to see what
incredible things each one of you will accomplish. We love you to California
and back.